If He Follows Us Home, Can I Keep ‘Em, Pa?!

Arizona artist Sandi Ciaramitaro is onsite at the 27th Annual Celebration of Fine Art in Scottsdale, Arizona, where she exhibits If He Follows Us Home, Can I Keep ‘Em, Pa?! Soon to be cast in bronze, the piece depicts Tic the rescued miniature donkey as he follows his friend, Truett, hoping to pluck a piece of hay from his back pocket. The life-size, hand-sculpted portrayal captures the moment with Ciaramitaro’s characteristic combination of soft naturalism and precision detailing.

Tic, the donkey featured in the sculpture, was part of a group brought to Triple R last year. Although he had never been handled by humans, Tic immediately connected with four-year-old Truett. The two forged such a unique friendship that Truett’s family adopted the donkey, giving him a forever home. “It is heart warming to see the care and passion in Truett’s eyes when they play together,” says Curry Eversole, president of Triple R. “They have a bond and commitment to each other like no one else.”

If He Follows Us Home, Can I Keep ‘Em, Pa?! is now available as a precast for $29,000. A 16-inch maquette will be available as well, for $8,000. Both come in a limited edition of 25.

This sculpture is the first in a series featuring Tic, Truett, and Triple R, and a portion of sales from each piece will be donated to the rescue. “I have great respect for Triple R, for those who work so hard and love every minute of it, and for all the lives they have saved,” says Ciaramitaro. “I believe the rescuers get just as much out of it as the animals that have been rescued!”

The Celebration of Fine Art continues through March 26, and is located on the southwest corner of Hayden Rd. and Loop 101 in Scottsdale. Ciaramitaro can be found in Studio #110-111, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily. In recognition of Ciaramitaro’s charitable work with the organization, guests who mention Triple R Horse Rescue at the door will receive free admission and season tickets to this year’s Celebration.

ABOUT THE ARTISTSandi Ciaramitaro lives and works in the Usery Mountains, where she finds continual solace and inspiration. “To peer upon the desert and watch the coyotes and javelina dart about in wild abandon is truly inspirational,” she muses. She also travels throughout Arizona, New Mexico, and California to discover fresh subject matter and vision. “Each location needs to inspire me when I am there, or it is simply not painted. Without that feeling of intimacy, a drawing is merely a picture. I want my audience to feel that they are with me, and that they can experience the meaning of the place when they step into the piece.”

Ciaramitaro’s passion emerges not only in her ability to capture the quintessence of her subject matter, but also in the very personal way she imparts her love of the Southwest to viewers. Sandi maintains a close connection with her collectors, giving them first access to her new works and sharing with them the story behind each painting. Sandi considers her collectors partners in her process, gleaning not just affirmation, but insight from them. In that vein, her enthusiasm for art, community, and life continues to shine.

Ciaramitaro’s work has appeared in various publications, including Phoenix Home & Garden, Cowboys & Indians, the Peak, Southwest Art, Western Art Collector, and Images AZ magazines. She is a member of the American Impressionist Society, Arizona Watercolor Association, National Sculpture Society, and Oil Painters of America.

CONTACTSandi Ciaramitaro480.861.1010www.sandic.me This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.